It's a very different Africa. Not one of dust and sand and great fiery sunsets Independence Day USA Jersey , but of the wettest desert on Earth.

In the middle of dry land a great river spills out onto to the sands of the Kalahari Desert in the northern corner of Botswana to create an extraordinary watery jungle. Like an immense oasis surrounded by desert, the Okavango Delta is filled with mysterious waters, lush vegetation and entrancing wildlife.

The Okavango, "The river that never reaches the sea," flows south from the uplands of Angola winding it's way into Botswana, and then spreads out over the parched plain irrigating 6 Gyasi Zardes USA Jersey ,000 square miles to create the largest inland delta on Earth. The area that was once part of Lake Makgadikgadi, an ancient lake that dried up some 10,000 years ago, has once again been transformed into a labyrinth of channels, lagoons, swamps Greg Garza USA Jersey , and wooded islands that sustain a remarkable concentration of life.

Seasonal flooding of the delta during May and June -winter in the southern hemisphere - brings fresh water and a renewal of life to this vast swamp. Islands can disappear completely during the peak flood, and then reappear at the end of the season. These countless islands give birth to several diverse ecosystems, which are home to vast numbers of birds and animals, while the crystal clear waters are filled with a veritable zoo of life.

A consistent source of water and food, amid the arid landscape, the delta draws large numbers of migratory elephants to the area. Lumbering their great masses into the cool water Graham Zusi USA Jersey , the elephants swim gracefully weightless among the forests of lily pads. This impenetrable aquatic forest of pinks and greens also hides schools of tiny silver fish.

But the tranquility of the green waters belies an exciting and dangerous side of this idyllic place. Great Nile crocodiles take a refreshing dip from a day spent basking on the riverbank and glide across the surface to settle unnoticed among the vegetation. Meanwhile a group of visitors enjoys a tranquil ride in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) with a guide watching intently for signs of hippos swimming unseen, whose danger lies in their unpredictable nature and lack of fear of humans.

By day, a cruise along the maze of narrow papyrus-lined waterways of the Okavango Delta offers the chance to enjoy a prosperity of wildlife including lions, hyenas and buffalo, an array of different antelope and other smaller animals - warthog, mongoose Geoff Cameron USA Jersey , spotted genets, monkeys, bushbabies and tree squirrels.

But nighttime on the delta is a full sensory experience. An incomprehensible number of stars and constellations will make you wish you knew more about astronomy, while you are serenaded by the sound of Hippos and Bell Frogs that mingle with the cacophony of other bleats, burps and hoots; some seemingly threatening, some just unusual and unrecognizable Fabian Johnson USA Jersey , and some delightfully soothing.In order to become successful at Sports Handicapping one must be willing to dedicate a lot of time attention to detail. Most casual bettors simply do not get this involved. They may invest in a sporting event they like based on their favorite teams or the local teams because information is easily accessible on those particular teams.

In contrast, professional sports handicappers look very deeply at the sporting event. They look at things from various angles trying to find an edge on a game. Important elements that are considered by professionals include:

* The strength of the team. This includes basic statistics related to how the team is performing at home, away, against particular teams, in certain weather conditions, etc. The handicapper is looking for the team's strength in the sport that separates them from other teams.

* Box Scores. The professional handicapper studies how the team does during the flow of the game - not just the final score. The professional can then determine if the team routinely starts out slowly and then finishes with a bang Ethan Horvath USA Jersey , or if they can defend a lead, or if they start strong and then blow it.

* Trends. The professional handicapper will look for trends of the team. Such as, do they routinely under-perform or are they on a winning streak. Do they play better after a long period of rest? The pro will also look for the 'why' to these questions.

* Match ups and Stats. The handicapper will check stats related to how the teams have performed against each other in the past - or in similar situations.

- Coaches and personnel. The experience and effectiveness of the coaching and training will also be evaluated by the handicapper.

The reality is that the average sports investor does not have the time available to thoroughly evaluate every game and team before investing. That is why professional handicappers are necessary.

Professional handicappers eat, sleep, drink and breathe sports and sports odds. So you can put your trust in their choices, relax and enjoy the games knowing that you invested your money wisely. Remember Eric Lichaj USA Jersey , you are investing in a highly researched and analyzed sporting event.

Before settling on a professional handicapper you should research the services offered. You could also sign up for a short period of time in order to evaluate the handicapper's performance.

This is not a get-rich-quick business. 60% is a great winning percentage, and 53% makes you money. If you enjoy sports investing, set funds aside for it and stick with a smart money management system. Like any business, honesty, integrity and hard work is the best formula for success. Dedication to knowing the items we listed above is what will set one handicapper (or scamdicapper) apart from another.

You need a comfort level that your handicapper is on top of the sports he covers as we.